- A written document with the "specification" (invention description and at least one claim of what your invention can do) and an oath or declaration.
- Patent drawing(s) when drawing(s) are necessary.
- The filing fee. See - Filing Fees for more information
All Patent Application Papers Must Be
- In the English language or a translation into the English language will be required along with the additional required fee for translations.
- Legibly written on only one side either by a typewriter or mechanical printer in permanent dark ink or its equivalent in portrait orientation on flexible, strong, smooth, non-shiny, durable, and white paper.
- With sufficient clarity and contrast between the paper and the writing to permit electronic reproduction.
- Without holes.
- One-and-a-half spaced or double spaced.
- Numbered consecutively - the page numbers have to be in the center of the top or bottom of the page starting with page one.
- It is desirable to include an indentation at the beginning of each new paragraph, and for paragraphs to be numbered (0001 etc.).
- Computer program listings (when submitted as part of the specification) must be direct printouts (not copies) from the computer's printer with dark, solid black letters not less than 0.21 cm. (0.08 inch) high (elite type), on white, unshaded and unlined paper; and the sheets should be submitted in a protective cover.
Page Size
The application papers must all be the same size, either:- 21.0 cm by 29.7 cm (DIN size A4)
- or 21.6 cm by 27.9 cm (8 1/2 by 11 inches)
Margins
The pages must have:- top margin of at least 2.0 cm (3/4 inch)
- left side margin of at least 2.5 cm (1 inch)
- right side margin of at least 2.0 cm (3/4 inch)
- bottom margin of at least 2.0 cm (3/4 inch)
Completed Patent Applications
The application for a patent will not be examined until all the required parts are received. You will not get the earliest possible filing date if you send in your patent application incomplete or defective. The USPTO will notified you of any deficiencies. You then will have a limited time period to complete or correct your patent application (a surcharge fee may be required).If you fail to complete or correct your patent application within a set, specified time period, your application will be returned or disposed of; and any fee payments made will be refunded less a handling fee as set forth in the fee schedule. See - Filing Fees
Send Everything In Together If Possible
It is desirable that all parts of the completed patent application be deposited in the Office together; otherwise each part must be signed and a letter must accompany each part, accurately and clearly connecting it with the other parts of the application.Application Serial Number
All applications received by the USPTO are numbered in serial order and the applicant will be informed of the application serial number and filing date by a filing receipt.Your Filing Date
The filing date of a patent will be the date the completed and correct application is received by the USPTO.Your Filing Fees
The filing fee of a non-provisional utility application (the most common type) consists of a base fee and additional fees for patents with many claims.Read - Filing Fees and How Much Money Do I Need For Patenting?.
